Parazynski has been part of five space shuttle flights, logged more than eight weeks in outer space and participated in seven spacewalks — no simple task, even for the most experienced of astronauts.

His induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame marks his significant influence within the industry, joining the likes of John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin and, of course, Neil Armstrong.

Parazynski said in an interview with ASU Now that the announcement was a “surprise,” but he is “thrilled to be included amongst all the folks I’ve looked up to for so many years.”

One of the spacewalks that Parazynski went on is considered one of the most dangerous in the history of spacewalking.

During his fourth spacewalk, he went on a mission to repair a torn solar array wing — but had to venture further out from the space station’s airlock than any other orbiting astronaut in order to do so.

Luckily, Parazynski was able to repair the wing and retreat back to the space station before the darkness of outer space consumed him.

“It’s the ultimate human exploration experience, to float above your planet, and see it from that perspective and to go on a spacewalk,” he said in an interview with ASU Now. “I really miss that and I wish I hadn’t had to hang up my space suit. It was time for me to get out of the way of the new recruits and to move on to other things.”

Parazynski and fellow former astronaut Brian Duffy will be inducted into the hall of fame with a ceremony at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Saturday.